Carrying bikes.

[Wilson]

I currently have a fammia t2 bike rack. Does anybody know a rear-mounted bike carrier to carry more than two bikes, or is a tow-bar mounted rack the only option?

And, no I'm not strapping them all to the roof bars before, anybody suggests it!

Thanks.

 

[Trikky2]

Good question. I did see a Fammia rack that could carry 3 but it was not the same design and doubt it would fit. The 4 bike ones all seem to be tow bar mounted. The problem there is why fit a heavy, bulky tow bar just to carry bikes? I think it should be possible to have something made that works by attaching to the bumper which is perfectly capable of supporting bikes with maybe a stabilising strap or two going to the tailgate?

The other problem I see with the Fammia is that apart from holding the bikes rather high up it also is not very secure in that it looks like it would be all to easy to just wrench it off with the bikes attached.

Sorry I dont have an answer for you - but you can tell I have been looking :lol:

 

[Marriedblonde]

I use a saris 3 cycle bike rack. That will carry 3 adults bikes.

J.

 

[Trikky2]

I use a saris 3 cycle bike rack. That will carry 3 adults bikes.

J.

I dont know that one. How does it attach to the bus? Got any pics?

 

[mattd1984]

Would they not fit inside the bus?

 

[Bundy]

I use this Pendle one...
http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/shopping/strap-on-rack.php
Works fine with 3 bikes once you move them all about to get the best fit.
I attach the top 2 straps to the gutter so the rear door doesn't have to take the full load, but does mean you can't open the door with the rack on....but you can get to the engine bay which I feel is slightly more important

 

[alex4057]

just a side shoot, anyone recommend a good tow bar bike rack, only looking to carry one maybe two bikes but seeing as ones is a heavy Mobylette i don't fancy using a tail gate ,mounted one.

 

[Chris73]

I used Pendle one as well, although that's a top idea about attaching it to the gutter instead of the top of the hatch! Why didn't I think of that :?

It also fits on the back of the Rocco, and costs under £100. Went all the way to Cornwall with 3 adult bikes on the back and nothing fell off!

 

[Marriedblonde]

I use a saris 3 cycle bike rack. That will carry 3 adults bikes.

J.

I dont know that one. How does it attach to the bus? Got any pics?

It's from here

http://www.saris.com/en/bike-racks/vehicle-racks/trunk-racks/bones-3-bike.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I looked at the pendle one but the Saris one, imho, is better, it's lighter and has a really good fixing system. I strap it to the top gutter so it doesn't pull on the rear door.

J.

 

[Marriedblonde]

I'll grab some pics at the weekend if you like.

J.

 

[EarlyBay Bill]

just a side shoot, anyone recommend a good tow bar bike rack, only looking to carry one maybe two bikes but seeing as ones is a heavy Mobylette i don't fancy using a tail gate ,mounted one.

Alex
I would recommend a Witter bike rack if you only need to carry a couple of bikes. Depends on the type of towbar - you need one with a bolt-on tow ball rather than a swan neck though. Fixing plate bolts in between towbar and ball meaning you can still tow when carrying bikes. I haven't fitted to my current van yet so no pics but you would need to check the engine lid clears the plate. I have used one for years on different vehicles and the link below shows one that is angled back to clear a spare wheel on a 4x4 so would keep the pedals well clear of a vans bodywork.
The actual carrier then lifts in and out against a spring clip and there are welded loops for securing bike and rack to the vehicle too. Arrive on site (or in an emergency) and it's off in 30 seconds to give access to the tailgate. You can buy spare plates too so can use the same carrier on different vehicles if that helps (I had one on car and one on van). As the bike you have is heavy you could strap it all back to the tailgate / roof rack for additional stability.
Ricky

http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/cycle_carriers/buyCycleCarrier.php?partNo=ZX108" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Wilson]

Photos of the saris one in action would be good.

Whoever suggested I keep them inside the van has obviously never met Mrs Wilson - the van is full of her "camping gear" (hair straighteners, electric blankets, fish pedicure tank, etc)

If we stick with the attaching the upper straps to the gutter theory, firstly is this secure compared to the hooks going over the top of the rear door, and secondly does this mean you could effectively try any of the standard bike racks meant for hatchback cars? I was looking at some of the thule ones for hatchbacks/MPVs but didn't have the courage to risk buying one for fear of it not fitting.

I asked JK about an extra bike rail on the fammia one but they said that the rear door won't support the weight of three bikes. Presuably the consensus is that using the gutter rail does support this weight?

 

[Bundy]

My gutter has been fine...
It does, however, now have a slight 'pull' in the two places it attaches to thanks to a caravan's tail catching the wheel of one of the bikes as it pulled out of a services. How it missed the van I don't know, but if they'd been hooked to the boot door I reckon the whole lot would have been ripped off. So the very slight pull in the gutter is testament to how strong they really are.
I have been hanging the rack in the same place ever since with no issues or bending of the gutter...and our bikes are not light!
I would have thought that most racks that fit a hatchback or mpv should fit...the Pendle one just seemed very good value at the time and has the adjustable bars for height, so you can have them really high if needed (helps get the handlebars clear of the westy roof).
Folds nicely for storage too.
Cheers
Al

 

[matt-me]

just a side shoot, anyone recommend a good tow bar bike rack, only looking to carry one maybe two bikes but seeing as ones is a heavy Mobylette i don't fancy using a tail gate ,mounted one.

Alex, I've got a thule one similar to these ones but a little more basic than these current models, have had it with three bikes and more stable than you'd think. I have one of Gadgets 'westy' tow bars. I don't use it that much, if you want to borrow it to see how it works you'd be very welcome. I'm only in carshalton.

Al

 

[Marriedblonde]

Photos of the saris one in action would be good.

No worries will do.

Whoever suggested I keep them inside the van has obviously never met Mrs Wilson - the van is full of her "camping gear" (hair straighteners, electric blankets, fish pedicure tank, etc)

I have a Mrs Wilson who is the same as this. Packing light is not a concept whe understands.

If we stick with the attaching the upper straps to the gutter theory, firstly is this secure compared to the hooks going over the top of the rear door

This is what I do, the Saris one uses 6 straps, I have used it with 3 adult bikes and the rack is nice and secure.

does this mean you could effectively try any of the standard bike racks meant for hatchback cars? I was looking at some of the thule ones for hatchbacks/MPVs but didn't have the courage to risk buying one for fear of it not fitting.

Pretty much. I looked at loads before I bought. I use a thule one on my ML as it is a nice and easy solution but they dont make one for the bus, that and I didn't really want to attach something to the rear door. My bus is solid but come on she is 40 years old.

You could get away with using a £25 one from ebay. I went for the saris as it has nice big feet to rest against the bus, it uses 6 straps to attach it which fit perfectly and the retaining straps for holding bikes to the carrier are simplcity itself (the thule is a pain in the ass!)

J.

 

[alex4057]

just a side shoot, anyone recommend a good tow bar bike rack, only looking to carry one maybe two bikes but seeing as ones is a heavy Mobylette i don't fancy using a tail gate ,mounted one.

Alex
I would recommend a Witter bike rack if you only need to carry a couple of bikes. Depends on the type of towbar - you need one with a bolt-on tow ball rather than a swan neck though. Fixing plate bolts in between towbar and ball meaning you can still tow when carrying bikes. I haven't fitted to my current van yet so no pics but you would need to check the engine lid clears the plate. I have used one for years on different vehicles and the link below shows one that is angled back to clear a spare wheel on a 4x4 so would keep the pedals well clear of a vans bodywork.
The actual carrier then lifts in and out against a spring clip and there are welded loops for securing bike and rack to the vehicle too. Arrive on site (or in an emergency) and it's off in 30 seconds to give access to the tailgate. You can buy spare plates too so can use the same carrier on different vehicles if that helps (I had one on car and one on van). As the bike you have is heavy you could strap it all back to the tailgate / roof rack for additional stability.
Ricky

http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/cycle_carriers/buyCycleCarrier.php?partNo=ZX108" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks they look great but I have a Gadget Westy Tow bar so isn't that style.

 

[alex4057]

just a side shoot, anyone recommend a good tow bar bike rack, only looking to carry one maybe two bikes but seeing as ones is a heavy Mobylette i don't fancy using a tail gate ,mounted one.

Alex, I've got a thule one similar to these ones but a little more basic than these current models, have had it with three bikes and more stable than you'd think. I have one of Gadgets 'westy' tow bars. I don't use it that much, if you want to borrow it to see how it works you'd be very welcome. I'm only in carshalton.

Al

Hey Al

I may very well take you up on that, can you private message me your phone number.

Thanks Kindly

Alex

 

[matt-me]

just a side shoot, anyone recommend a good tow bar bike rack, only looking to carry one maybe two bikes but seeing as ones is a heavy Mobylette i don't fancy using a tail gate ,mounted one.

Alex, I've got a thule one similar to these ones but a little more basic than these current models, have had it with three bikes and more stable than you'd think. I have one of Gadgets 'westy' tow bars. I don't use it that much, if you want to borrow it to see how it works you'd be very welcome. I'm only in carshalton.

Al

Hey Al

I may very well take you up on that, can you private message me your phone number.

Thanks Kindly

Alex

pm'd

 

[Wilson]

Went for the saris. I don;t need to worry about the 4th bike for 2 or 3 years and this is obviously cheaper than the tow bar option. Got it for £109 which seems ok.

Thanks for all the help.